Projecting the rest of the Patriots’ season

Way back when, just a week before the NFL season kicked off, we made some game-by-game predictions for the Patriots. We correctly had the Patriots pegged as a 7-2 team after nine games, expecting losses from the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons, though, and not from the New York Jets.

Now that things have started to shake out, it's time to update those projections given the changes with the Patriots and their competition going forward.

This will be the first time the Patriots are exposed to a real read-option quarterback this season, not a rookie like Geno Smith who is still learning the position. But it's no longer just Cam Newton's legs the Patriots have to worry about, it's the NFL's second best defense that poses a problem.

The Panthers are holding opponents to 13.3 points per game, with linebackers Luke Kuechly (Boston College) and Thomas Davis playing outstanding ball. Add in the trio of cornerbacks, Melvin White, Captain Munnerlyn, and Drayton Florence, all of whom have not allowed a single touchdown pass, and you can see why this game is a lot more interesting than it once was.

There was a time, early in the season, when the Panthers didn't really embrace Newton's ability to make plays with his legs. During the last four games, he has run or scrambled at least five times and as much as 11. Coincidentally, the Panthers have scored more than 30 points each game (34.5 per game) and are 4-0. Don't be surprised if the Panthers see the Patriots' 30th-ranked run defense as a weakness.

Peyton Manning has been on fire this season, throwing for 2,919 yards and 29 touchdowns through the first nine weeks of the season. He's on pace to break Tom Brady's single season touchdown record (50). Watching him play, you wouldn't know he's 37 years old as he's led the Broncos to a 7-1 record.

He's been helped by a defense that has been able to shut down the run and force opponents to pass. The Broncos have the third best rushing defense (81.5 yards allowed per game), while sporting the 30th-ranked pass defense (299 yards allowed per game).

The Patriots defense, which has been spotty thanks to a rash of injuries, needs to be up and running at full capacity when the Broncos come to town. But even a healthy roster may not be able to overcome this talented team.

At first, the Texans had all of their faith in quarterback Matt Schaub. Then, with a string of interceptions returned for touchdowns and otherwise subpar play, the franchise turned to T.J. Yates, who upon getting his first opportunity threw a pick-six of his own. Now, the quarterback of choice is Case Keenum, who has rediscovered the fountain of touchdowns in Andre Johnson (9 receptions for 229 yards and 3 TDs in Week 9).

But the Texans (2-6) still can't seem to figure out how to win after starting the season 2-0.

This is exactly the kind of team the Patriots beat up on, talented but dysfunctional. They hold opponents to a league low of 273.5 yards per game, but can't seem to overcome their offensive woes.

Got a coin? Flip it. That's precisely how the Browns' season has gone, winning games they weren’t supposed to (Baltimore, Cincinnati) and losing the ones the team was supposed to compete in (Miami, Detroit).

There would have been some added cachet to this matchup had Brian Hoyer (torn ACL), a former Patriots quarterback, remained healthy. But now, it's a matter of whether or not the Patriots will overlook one of the better defenses in the league (217.4 passing yards allowed per game).

The Patriots cannot overlook the Dolphins after escaping their first matchup with a 27-17 victory, in which New England shut out its visitor in the second half. Had the Dolphins' passing game had not been so anemic (145 yards for Ryan Tannehill), they could have been much more competitive.

These division games are always tough, but the Dolphins (4-4) are classically inconsistent.

Currently on a three-game skid and sporting a losing record (3-5), these are not the Super Bowl champion Ravens of a year ago. The losses sustained over the offseason, the powerful running game that had been a fixture, and the fear inspired by the team's defense are no longer hallmarks of this Baltimore team.

The Ravens' three wins have come against teams that do not hold a winning record. When they face the Patriots, they're likely going to be facing a team that is on the cusp of winning the AFC East and looking to contend for a playoff bye. There's too much motivation for the Patriots to let this one slip by.

E.J. Manuel will likely be back in place as the Bills' starting quarterback after a knee injury sidelined him Oct. 3 against the Cleveland Browns The Bills (3-6) have gone 1-3 without him.

This is a team that, despite its losing record, has competed well over the course of the season and has one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL. Buffalo’s passing game, which wasn't exactly optimal with Manuel under center, has been the root cause for concern.

Running backs Fred Jackson (502 yards, 6 TDs) and C.J. Spiller (478 yards, 1 TD) continue to impress in their dual roles, and linebacker Kiko Alonso (89 tackles, 4 interceptions) has performed exceptionally well. But, like most of the NFL, all the good that occurs for the Buffalo Bills happens few and far between the bad. They Bills have a 16 giveaways this season (8 fumbles, 8 interceptions). It's just a team bereft with inconsistency.